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THE BRITISH NATURALIST. 



I June 



SUGARING. 



BY JOHN E. ROBSON, F.E.S. 



In the April issue of this Magazine I made a suggestion for united 

 observation in connection with sugaring, in the hope that by such 

 united observation made on a uniform plan, and at various places, 

 we might find some solution of the puzzles connected with the success 

 or failure of this mode of attracting insects. Forms were prepared, 

 and have been distributed in considerable numbers, and now that 

 some of them are beginning to come in, it seems desirable to add a 

 few words more. 



Whilst the number who have applied for these forms, and expressed 

 their interest in the suggestion, have considerably exceeded my 

 expectations, there are still extensive areas in which no observer is 

 assisting us. I will be glad, therefore, to hear from any one who will 

 aid in the work, and will send a supply of forms to any address. 

 May I ask also that those interested will mention the matter to their 

 correspondents, as many who do not read the " British Naturalist," 

 might be willing to help. 



In filling up the forms, one should be used for each night, and 

 absolute or partial failure should be chronicled with as much care as 

 the greatest success. It will be well, also, under " Other observa- 

 tions," to note what species come to Silenc or other flowers, what are 

 noticed at rest on palings and tree trunks, and any other item showing 

 what species are on the wing. As a sample of how the forms should 

 be filled, I quote form received from Mr. Home, of Aberdeen. 



May 5. Wood near Aberdeen ; Wind, S.S.E., moderate ; Sky, 

 obscured ; Atmosphere, dry ; I got six Menyanthidis at rest on the 

 palings before I sugared, but not a single moth appeared on the sweets. 



May 9. Moor near Aberdeen ; Wind, S.S.E., very light ; Sky, 

 clear; Atmosphere, dry; I again found six Menyanthidis and one Glanca 

 at rest in the palings before sugaring, but nothing turned up at the 

 sweets. I saw several Noctnce flying and netted one Gothica. 



May 10. Moor near Aberdeen ; Wind, S.W., moderate ; Sky, 

 obscured ; dry, warm night ; I took two Menyanthidis at rest, and after 

 dark one pair in cop. Nothing at all at sugar. A friend sugared in 

 a fir wood on the edge of the Moor. He netted one Menyanthidis and 

 one Thallasina, but got nothing at sugar. 



May 11. Coast at Bay of Nigg, Kincardineshire; Wind, W., 

 light ; Sky, obscured ; Atmosphere, close, night warm and offering to 

 rain ; I netted five Ochveons vars. of Conspevsa and saw many more, but 

 they were difficult to catch on account of the Silene flowers not being 

 properly in bloom ; all were taken before 9 p.m., only one Gothica 

 came to sugar. 



